Most reef keepers who use it to remove any discolouration in the water change it every 1-3 days. Because after that it is useless. Some of the high grade stuff lasts longet (like seachem) but if you're buying regular brand carbon, it's of little use long term.
So, how long does carbon really last??
- Thread starter swervo513
- Start date
I guess I will change mine every week. I do have tannins in the water I would like to remove and it has really helped in clearing up my water. There is no way carbon can be harmful is there? What happens when you leave it for months on end?
swervo513;4996090; said:
Yes it can house beneficial bacteria, but again this could be detrimental to your system if your borderline on bio filtration, as changing the carbon after an extended period in your tank once exhausted can cause a mini cycle.
Your weekly water changes will help dilute out the tannins.
If your not removing medication from the tank leave the carbon out and substitute it's space in your filter with efficient bio media.
Asking "How long does Carbon last?" is similar to asking "how long will a garbage bag last?"... The accurate answer is "until it's full"...
If you put a lot of waste int he trash bag, or the carbon, each day then it will fill up very quickly... but if you put very little waste in the trash bag, or the carbon, each day it will last much longer...
Most people ignore all the details involved and change it out once a month... if your tank is relatively dirty, I suggest more frequently... if your tank is relatively spotless then a little less often is fine...
In the example mentioned where it is used to remove discoloration then after 1~3 days it is useless, this is an example where a lot of waste is being quickly put into the carbon (remmeber the garbage bag example). So naturally it will fill up quickly.
But once the discolation is gone, or the spring cleaning is over, the carbon/garbage bag will not fill up nearly as quick moving forward.
Carbon does not become useless after a given amount of time... it becomes full after absorbing a certain amount of waste...
If you put a lot of waste int he trash bag, or the carbon, each day then it will fill up very quickly... but if you put very little waste in the trash bag, or the carbon, each day it will last much longer...
Most people ignore all the details involved and change it out once a month... if your tank is relatively dirty, I suggest more frequently... if your tank is relatively spotless then a little less often is fine...
In the example mentioned where it is used to remove discoloration then after 1~3 days it is useless, this is an example where a lot of waste is being quickly put into the carbon (remmeber the garbage bag example). So naturally it will fill up quickly.
But once the discolation is gone, or the spring cleaning is over, the carbon/garbage bag will not fill up nearly as quick moving forward.
Carbon does not become useless after a given amount of time... it becomes full after absorbing a certain amount of waste...
JamesF;4996100; said:
Yea, I am hoping for that. I had my carbon bag in my Aquaclear 110 HOB power filter for about 3 years.
Could leech those organic back into the water if you leave it for too long. Beats the entire point of having carbon in the first place.
add a few shots of ick treament. it will turn your water blue. if your water is clear in an hour or so your carbon is still working. if its still blue.... time to change carbon =) easy safe way to test. just a thought =)
